Bookshelf allows users to download books, read them online, or access them from a mobile device, including iPads, Kindle Fires and Android tablets or smartphones. Students can add notes, highlights and annotations to the text, which will automatically sync across their devices. Books themselves may contain "media enhancements," such as video and audio. And the company said they're designed for access by students with physical disabilities.

On the administrative side, Bookshelf provides analytic functions that allow faculty to view individual usage data, as well as aggregated class data.

According to Provost Betty Vandenbosch, the institution performed a year-long pilot, which considered user satisfaction, student outcomes, support and future features. "We spoke with many e-textbook providers as we explored new options to support our dynamic online learning environment," she noted. "Vital Source's institutional e-book delivery experience, publisher relationships, ease of integration and flexible e-textbook platform serves our faculty and students very well."